News

Tory leader race closes to final four

THE campaign by Kenneth Clarke to be Tory leader will be boosted this month if, as expected, another rival pulls out of the race.

Andrew Lansley, the shadow health secretary who backed Clarke in the 2001 race, is to hold talks with him this week after deciding he does not have enough support to run on his own. He believes he will be able to deliver his supporters to the former chancellor’s camp.

MPs believe two other contenders will also bow out soon, leaving just four challengers. Pressure is growing on Sir Malcolm Rifkind, the shadow pensions secretary, and Theresa May, the shadow culture secretary, to step aside and back the main contenders before the Conservative party conference in Blackpool next month.

David Willetts, the shadow trade secretary, gave his public backing last week to David Davis, the frontrunner. Clarke’s campaign tried to woo Willetts, but he said Davis, the